It's been said that this 1948 classic has been responsible for the ballet lessons of more young girls than any other film. It's not hard to understand why: Michael Powell and Emerich Pressburger's dark fairy tale presents ... more &raquothe ballet as an exquisite, magical work of art; but under the theatrics and glory is an all-consuming lifestyle with the power to destroy those who love it perhaps too much. Moira Shearer practically glows as Victoria "Vicky" Page, a young woman consumed by a will to dance who is accepted into the highly prestigious ballet company run by perfectionist Boris Lermontov (Anton Walbrook). Meanwhile, a gifted young composer, Julian Craster (Marius Goring), is brought on board as an orchestra coach, and later conductor and composer of the ballet that will make Vicky's name: The Red Shoes, one of the most beautiful and dramatic dances ever captured on film. Professional and personal jealousies soon pull this creative team apart, however, and Vicky is torn between her love of Julian, her responsibility to Boris, and her need to dance. Powell and Pressburger recast Hans Christian Andersen's sad story as a modern romantic melodrama, highlighted by beautiful dances and shot, not as stage ballets, but rather as expressionist cinematic dramas on impossibly grand sets awash with bold color and beautifully captured in glorious Technicolor by cinematographer Jack Cardiff. It's a brilliant melding of dance and drama as Vicky's real life mirror's the tragic story she danced in the Red Shoes ballet. --Sean Axmaker&laquo less

Member Movie Reviews

"The Red Shoes" has to be one of my favorite movies of all times. The music is gorgeous and the dancing delightful. But it is the psychology of the characters that fascinates me most. I am fascinated by Lermontov's obsession with the art of ballet equal to that of Julian's of music as well as Vicky's confusion over her love of art and her love of Julian. I cry everytime I see the ending...if only there was another choice. Yet the ambiguity of whether she chose or the shoes chose for her is part of the brilliance of the film.

Roberta H. (Robin1) from NEWMARKET, NH Reviewed on 12/12/2010...

Wonderful! When I first saw this movie on TV in the 1950's as little girl, I was spell bound. Even in black in white it made an impression. I watched it today for the first time in color and loved it even more. Great stuff for 1948! I thought briefly of keeping it to watch again but so many members are wishing for it, I just posted it. Enjoy!

Daniel A. (Daniel) from EUGENE, OR Reviewed on 2/8/2010...

The overall colors and style are amazingly beautiful. The real dance of the red shoes is breathtaking in its fantastic surrealism. Though some character motivations seem indiscernible, the thematic ending is brill.